​With many recumbent bikes on the market, it's very easy to buy one that is uncomfortable or simply not worth the price. Worse still, you can end up with one that doesn't align with your fitness goals. To ensure you purchase one of the best recumbent exercise bikes, we’ve analyzed hundreds of bikes and eliminated many to bring you the best ones in these recumbent bike reviews.

The bikes featured in these recumbent bike reviews are guaranteed to meet your needs – fitness goals or budget. We will take a look at the features of the bikes, their pros, and their cons.

These recumbent bike reviews are strictly on the best recumbent exercise bikes. If you are looking to purchase upright exercise bikes, here are reviews of the best 6 that can meet your fitness goals and budget.

If you are uncertain whether a recumbent bike or an upright bike is the best choice, read on to understand the differences between them and the top benefits recumbent bikes have to offer.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RECUMBENT AND UPRIGHT BIKES

Seat and Back Rest

Most of the best recumbent exercise bikes have padded seats in addition to having backrests. Upright bikes, on the other hand, have standard seats that most people find uncomfortable. You certainly wouldn’t find a backrest on upright bikes.

Riding Position

On recumbent bikes, you are positioned close to the floor, with your back supported by the backrest. Also, your legs are placed on the pedals, which are in front of you. While on stationary bikes, you are in the same position as when riding on outdoor bikes.

Upper Body Work Out

The backrest and comfortable seats of recumbent bikes put very little stress on your upper body. Hence, you don’t get to work that part of your body. However, one of the best recumbent exercise bikes featured in these recumbent bike reviews, the Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike has rotating handlebars. You can use this to exercise your upper body.

However, on all upright bikes, you lean forward and have to support yourself, placing more pressure on your upper body.

Getting on and off

It’s easier getting on and off recumbent exercise bikes than upright bikes. Recumbent exercise bikes have lower seats and most, like the Star Trac S-Rbx Recumbent Bike, which is included in these recumbent bike reviews, have a walk-through design.

On the other hand, you may need to jump or climb to get on upright bikes.

Calories Burned  

You burn more calories on upright bikes than on recumbent bikes. This is because of the difference in body positioning. However, if you pedal faster, you can burn as many calories on recumbent bikes.

Also, with the comfort on a recumbent bike, you can exercise longer and burn more calories as a result.

Cost

Upright bikes cost much less than recumbent bikes. This is because it is smaller and requires less material.

BENEFITS OF RECUMBENT BIKES

These are the immense benefits you stand to enjoy when you exercise on recumbent bikes.

Read on!

Safety Always

No doubt, recumbent bikes are built to give you utmost comfort. There’s no need to lean to reach the handlebars, as you would on an upright bike. Also, your body is kept level with the rest of your body, which reduces tension and pressure to joints.

Furthermore, with the ergonomic seat and backrest design, backaches, shoulder pains, slipped disc and other unwanted injuries are eliminated. The best recumbent exercise bikes will provide just the comfort and zero injury-risk you need.

Longer Exercise – Burn More Calories

You will largely be able to spend longer time exercising on a recumbent bike than on most other fitness equipment. While you may work out for only one hour on an upright exercise bike, you can easily exercise for close to two hours on a recumbent bike. Hence, recumbent bikes allow you to burn more calories and achieve your fitness goals and are as effective as upright bikes.

Muscle Development

You also get to develop more muscles with the recumbent bike. Recumbent bikes have various levels of magnetic resistance, which you can adjust to increase or decrease the exercise’s intensity. The higher the resistance, the harder your legs will work. Your leg muscles will be stronger as a result.

Zero Impact Bikes

Recumbent exercise bikes are zero impact bikes. Together with the extra cushioning and back support, they are often recommended for seniors and those recovering from back injury.

Low Noise

Recumbent bikes are equipped with the whisper-quiet flywheel technology. Coupled with the magnetic resistance, you can exercise with the assurance that your partner or next door neighbor won’t be disturbed. 

Increased Blood Circulation

As you pedal during workouts, blood circulation increases in your leg and all over your body.

THE BEST RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKES

Here’s our top pick!

1-Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike

Features and Benefits

This recumbent bike from a well-known company is one of the cheapest, stylish and high performing bikes you can purchase. Hence, if you are looking for a bike that will help you burn calories and keep fit without breaking the bank, then the Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike is for you. 

The Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike has a comfortable seat and padded backrest that makes you exercise in comfort and for longer hours. It has a maximum weight support of 300 pounds.

The console is within reach and you can easily read your workout data on the LCD display. You can track distance traveled, calories burned, time on bike, speed etc., as you exercise, giving you more motivation to keep on going.

With the 8 levels of resistance, you can increase the difficulty as one level gets too easy. You also burn more calories as you increase the difficulty level. The resistance level is adjusted by a knob placed on the flywheel.

Transporting this recumbent bike is easy pie as it has built-in transport wheels for your convenience. Also, it comes with an adjustable foot strap, so you can be confident your foot will be securely placed on the pedal with no room to slip. Furthermore, it has counterbalanced pedals that enable forward or reverse cycling motion.

It has a warranty period of two years for its frame.

The Marcy ME 709 Recumbent Exercise Bike combines a sleek design with a sturdy build and a very pocket-friendly price. These reasons are why it’s one of the best recumbent exercise bikes. You can’t go wrong getting one, especially if you are on a budget.

Pros

1. Sturdy build
2. Eight levels of resistance
3. Its narrow build consumes very little space
4. It produces very little noise
5. Counterbalanced pedals
6. Very affordable

Cons

1. Not much padding as some other bikes featured in these recumbent bike reviews
2. The non-adjustable seat may pose a problem if you are short
3. No workout programs. However, with its resistance, it does provide an efficient workout

2-NAUTILUS R614 RECUMBENT BIKE

Features and Benefits

Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike is a low-priced solidly-built recumbent bike with all the features and workout programs to give low impact, high-intensity workouts. 

It has a sturdy and stable steel design that can support a weight of up to 300 pounds. At the front of the frame are transport wheels for easy movement.

Although the seat is without cushioning, it is designed for optimal comfort. The sliding seat can be adjusted to accommodate your height. Also, both the seat and the back support are vented for full air flow, thereby preventing heat which might cause discomfort. On the handlebars are heart rate sensors to monitor the heart rate.

The console features a progress tracking system that allows you to track workout data such as speed, distance, level, revolution per minute, calories burned and level on its dual LCD screen. Also, it includes in-console speakers that enable you to listen to your favorite playlists without the need for an earphone.

The console also includes a Bluetooth and USB connectivity feature with which you can export your data to Nautilus Connect and My Fitness Pal. On these two websites, you can analyze your workout data and workout progress. Also, you get information on diet and exercise that assist you to arrive at your fitness goals faster.

Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike also has 3 adjustable speed cooling fans in its console area. You can cool down with the fans during intense workouts.

It features 22 workout programs of which 9 are profile program (3 fun ride, 3 mountain ride and 3 challenges), 2 fitness test programs to measure your physical fitness, 8 heart rate control and 2 custom user-defined programs and 1 quick start. Also, there are 20 levels of ECB magnetic resistance, which are the best form of resistance. Although you can change the resistance level gradually through the console, there are also 10 keys for quick resistance adjustment.

It comes with 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts, 1-year electronics, and 90-day labor warranty.

The Nautilus R614 recumbent exercise bike is certainly one of the best recumbent exercise bikes.  With its sturdy build, pre-set programs, resistance, entertainment features, you are in for exciting and fulfilling workouts!

Pros

1. It has 22 workout programs and 20 resistance levels that give you various workout choice
2. 3-speed fans to keep out sweat during workouts
3. Easy assembly
4. Access to Nautilus Connect and My Fitness Pal allows
5. Zero-maintenance machine
6. Two transport wheel for easy movement
7. Seat adjustment that accommodates users of height 4ft 11 ins to 6 ft 3 ins

Cons

1. The non-backlit display poses a problem in the dark or direct sunlight
2. Although some users are fine with the plastic seats, you might find it uncomfortable
3. Needs an external source of power

3-SCHWINN 270 RECUMBENT BIKE

Feature and Benefits

As with all bikes from fitness equipment giants Schwinn, the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike is unarguably one of the best recumbent exercise bikes on the market today.

The Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike comes with a high-speed, high-inertia perimeter weighted flywheel that keeps it firmly on the ground. Its 3 piece pedal cranks and oversized pedals make it convenient for everyone to use.

Its thickly padded seat and a lower back support provides an extra layer of comfort and is suitable if you suffer from back pain or want to avoid it. The back is also vented, and this will keep the air in circulation during workouts.

The console includes two blue back-lit LCD screens that clearly display your workout data even in the dark. You can monitor workout data such as the distance covered, speed, time, calories burned, and resistance level revolutions per minutes.

The 25 levels of resistance and 29 workout programs give you a variety of workout options. The 29 workout programs include 12 profile program (4 fun ride, 4 mountain ride, and 4 challenges), 9 heart rate program, 4 user profile, 2 fitness test program, 1 recovery test program, and 1 quick start. With the choice, you will need no motivation to workout. Along with the heart rate monitoring sensor embedded in the handle grips, Schwinn 270 Recumbent bike also has a telemetry system that enables you to add a chest strap.

After working out, you can export your workout data to Schwinn Connect and MyFitnessPal and assess your workout progress. You also have access to exercise and diet tips. While working out, you can also plug in your iPod, Mp3, and Smartphone to listen to your favorite music. The console also features 3-speed fan to keep you cool during workouts and a water bottle holder to keep you hydrated.

With its transport wheels, you can easily transport it from one location to the other.

There's a 10-year warranty on the frame, 2-year mechanical warranty, 1 year on parts and 90-day labor warranty.

Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike, with its many interesting features, solid and rigid build ensures a maximum comfort and great workout experience. It is, without doubt, one of the best recumbent exercise bikes you can bank on to help you burn fat and look trim and fit always.

Pros

1. 28 workout program and 25 levels of resistance
2. Backlit LCD screen makes it easy to track workout data even in the dark
3. 3-speed fan to keep you cool
4. Transport wheels to make movement easy
5. Media shelf

Cons

1. It doesn't come with a chest strap. However, it has a telemetry system that is chest strap enabled.

4-STAMINA ELITE TOTAL BODY RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE

Features and Benefits

The Stamina elite total body recumbent Exercise bike is a sturdy, durable, quiet and easy-to-maintain machine. It offers upper and lower body workout for people of all fitness level, from beginners to professional athletes.

The Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent, with handlebars that can spin - is one of the few recumbent bikes that work both upper and lower body. It comes almost pre-assembled, hence won’t take much time to assemble.

Both the seat and the backrest are padded to give you maximum comfort during workouts. Both can comfortably support users of up to 250 pounds. It has two set of handlebars; a stationary one attached to the seat and a rotating handlebar in the front.

The Stamina Elite total body recumbent Exercise bike uses a smooth and quiet magnetic resistance system with a magnetic flywheel. Its 8 level of resistance is controlled by a knob connected to the flywheel. Level 1-6 provides light workouts, while level 7 and 8 offers much more superior workout challenge. 

Although it features no pre-set workout programs, you can set targets for time used, distance traveled, calories burned and pulse with the fitness meter. It has a display screen, which isn’t lit, where all the workout data are also tracked. However, it might be quite difficult to read in the dark or in direct sunlight.

It comes with a 5-year frame warranty and one-year parts warranty.

The Stamina Elite Total Body Recumbent Exercise Bike, with its sturdy build and total body workout capability, is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes and thus has earned its place in this recumbent bike reviews.

Pros

1. Rotating handlebars that can work the arms, shoulders, and back
2. Padded seat and backrest
3. Fitness meter with which to set targets
4. The console is battery powered, hence, requires no electricity

Cons

1. Non-backlit screen
2. Has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds

5-TEETER FREESTEP RECUMBENT CROSS TRAINER AND ELLIPTICAL

Features and Benefits

Also featured in this recumbent bike reviews is the Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical. This recumbent bike cum elliptical is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes around. The reasons for this are not far-fetched.  Teeter Recumbent and Elliptical machine provide a full body workout, unlike most recumbent bikes that focus on the lower body. With this, you can burn calories faster, achieve your fitness goals and improve your overall health.

Its seat and backrest are soft and padded, giving you maximum comfort during workouts. It is also convenient if you are a senior or have back injury. The seats are adjustable and can accommodate you people of all height. The backrest can also be reclined for optimal comfort.

It has a basic console with a non-backlit screen that displays data. Hence, you keep track of your speed, distance, time, calories burned while you work out.

It features a magnetic resistance that is present on both the handlebars and the pedals. As such, you get to exercise your lower and upper body. Most recumbent bikes have resistance adjustment knobs located in the console area. The Teeter Freestep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical on the other has its resistance adjustment lever next to the seat. You can, therefore, change resistance without leaning forward.

The Teeter Freestep Recumbent Cross Trainer And Elliptical allow you to work both your upper and lower body. With its Whisper stride and ergonomic seat design, it’s great value for its money.

Pros

1. Its total body workout is unbeatable
2. Magnetic resistance on both the pedals and handlebars
3. Whisper stride system provides smooth and quiet stride
4. Cushioned seat and backrest takes comfort to another level
5. Can support a maximum weight of up to 300 pounds

Cons

1. The screen isn’t back-lit
2. No music system
3. Lacks pulse sensors

6-THE FITNEX R70 RECUMBENT BIKE

Features and Benefits

If you are looking for a sturdy and solid built-to-last recumbent bike, then the Fitnex R70 bike is for you. This bike is perfect for you whether you are a fitness newbie looking to burn some calories or an expert athlete.

A fully padded seat provides you with full comfort whenever you work out. Also, the ergonomic back support is adjustable, which allows you to change position at any time. It has a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds.

It features an oversized 4 window dot Matrix LED screen. So viewing your workout data isn't a problem. You can easily track your speed, calories, time, distance, and pulse rate. It also comes with a water bottle holder, towel rack, and tablet holder for your comfort.

The Fitnex R70 Recumbent Bike comes with 11 pre-programmed workout plans, which are Manual, Heart Rate Control (HR-Weight Loss, HR-Interval, HR-Fat Burn, and HR-CV workout), Random, Interval, Weight Loss, CV Workout, Fat Burn, and Rolling. So you can't get easily bored from trying same worn-out over and over again.

There are 16 magnetic resistance levels to provide different stages of difficulty while operating silently. It has contact heart rate grip sensors built into the handlebars. All you need do is hold the handlebars to monitor your heart rate.

An interesting feature of the Fitnex R70 Recumbent Exercise bike is its self power-generating ability. This simply means that the console screen only lits up whenever you pedal!

It comes with a lifetime warranty on parts (residential use only) and a 1-year labor warranty.

Its self-power generating feature, programmed workouts and resistance levels, LED screen and other features make it worthy of its place among the best recumbent exercise bike reviews

Pros

1. Pulse monitoring features ensure you can track your heart rate
2. 11 workout programs and 16 resistance levels
3. Generates its own power
4. Padded seat and ergonomic back support

Cons

1. It's difficult to reach the controls while pedaling which is needed to keep the power on

7-STAR TRAC S-RBx RECUMBENT BIKE

Features and Benefits

The Star Trac S-RBx Recumbent bike is easily one of the best recumbent exercise bikes on the market. It combines a host of interesting features and solid build, making it one of the best recumbent exercise bikes you can rely on. It's no wonder it makes the cut in this recumbent bike reviews.

The Star Trac S-RBx Recumbent features walk-through seat design makes it easily accessible. The adjustable seats are padded and the backrest has a contoured design to provide as much comfort as you can get during workouts.  You can also rest your arms on the armrest to further reduce tension in your arms, shoulder, and back. It can support a maximum weight of 350 pounds.

Pre-wired for S Series PVS entertainment system, its console has a 4 window screen that displays time, distance, heart rate, course profile, resistance level, calories burnt.

With 10 pre-programmed workout options, you have a wide range of workout choice to choose from. The workout programs include Dynamic Heart Rate Control, Burn Calorie, Constant Heart Rate Control, Increase Endurance, Burn Fat, Distance Goal, Calorie Goal, Quick Start, Fitness Test, and Manual. It also has 20 levels of resistance.

The Star Trac S-RBx includes a 3 Year Labor Warranty and a 3 Year Parts Warranty.

This recumbent machine, though more expensive than some of the bikes on these recumbent bike reviews, is worth the price. Its use in many fitness clubs and gyms shows how sturdy and feature-packed it is.

Pros

1. 10 pre-programmed workouts and 20 levels of resistance offers a lot of variety
2. A Polar chest strap is included
3. Pre-wired for S Series PVS entertainment system
4. Cooling fan and entertainment system
5. Walk-through design makes seat easily accessible
6. Padded seat and contoured armrest ensures comfort all through
7. Support weight up to 350 pounds
8. Self-contained electricity

Cons

1. Expensive, but worth every penny

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A RECUMBENT BIKE

If you keen on buying a recumbent bike, you should purchase one that will help you realize your fitness goal, your budget, and your physical condition.

Thankfully, we’ve considered all these factors when choosing the bikes included in this recumbent bike reviews. So, you certainly should find one that fits the bill.

Let’s take a look at some of these features.

Sturdy Construction

One of the features you should look out for in a recumbent bike is how well constructed it is. It must be sturdy and strong enough to support your weight.

These recumbent bike reviews feature bikes that have sturdy and well-built frames that can support your weight.

Comfort

Any recumbent exercise bike you purchase must offer the utmost comfort. As you will be seated when on a recumbent bike, you should be comfortable any time you work out. The best recumbent exercise bikes, which are on this list, have padded seats and will provide maximum comfort.

Program and Resistance

Your recumbent bike should have preset workout programs or/and resistance. Exercising on a recumbent bike without resistance is no different from riding a regular bike on a flat surface. With resistance, you can try out various workout levels and burn calories faster.

Adjustable Seats and Back Rest

This feature ensures a bike is comfortable for you and can be used by all members of the family. An adjustable seat also offers you the choice to adjust according to your height.